A serving Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) major and two civilians have been arraigned before the General Court Martial over allegations of defrauding a foreign investor of USD 2.4 million (approximately Shs13 billion) in a fraudulent gold deal involving a purported shipment of 30 kilogrammes of gold to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The suspects are Major Nicholas Ntakirwa, also known as “Gen James,” Mohammed Ali, a director at Duck Hunter Security Company Limited, and businessman Besigye Trevor.
The trio were charged with obtaining money by false pretences and scandalous conduct following a joint operation involving the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
According to the Anti-Corruption Unit, the accused were remanded until November 16, 2026, as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
How the alleged Shs13bn gold deal unfolded
Prosecution allegations indicate that the alleged fraud occurred in September 2025, when the suspects allegedly targeted Gafar Ibrahim Mohammed Elsawi, an investor associated with MAPSCO General Trading LLC.
Major Ntakirwa, a military officer attached to the Directorate of Operations under the UPDF Land Forces, allegedly posed as “Gen James” and, with the assistance of Ali and Trevor, convinced the investor that they could supply and export 30 kilogrammes of gold to Dubai.
The suspects allegedly received USD 2.4 million from the investor on September 22, 2025, at the offices of Duck Hunter Security Company Limited in Muyenga, Makindye Division, Kampala.
However, prosecutors allege that the promised gold transaction was fraudulent and that the suspects falsely represented that they were selling and exporting the precious metal to the United Arab Emirates.
The money allegedly obtained in the transaction amounted to approximately Shs13 billion.
Investor allegedly asked for more money
The alleged scheme reportedly did not end with the initial payment.
On September 29, 2025, the suspects allegedly obtained a further USD 120,000, equivalent to more than Shs500 million, from the investor.
According to the prosecution account, they allegedly claimed that the additional money was intended for payment to the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), a representation prosecutors contend was false.
The additional payment brings the total amount allegedly obtained from the investor to approximately USD 2.52 million, or more than Shs13.5 billion based on the reported figures.
The charges relate to allegations that the accused obtained the money with the intention of defrauding the investor. The allegations have yet to be proved in court.
Military officer faces additional scrutiny
The involvement of a serving military officer has added a disciplinary dimension to the case.
The Anti-Corruption Unit said Major Ntakirwa’s alleged conduct was contrary to the morality, order and expectations required under the UPDF Code of Conduct for the Defence Forces.
The allegations are particularly significant because the officer is attached to the Directorate of Operations under the Land Forces, according to the statement.
The prosecution alleges that Ntakirwa used the identity of “Gen James” in the transaction, working alongside the two civilian suspects to secure the investor’s money.
It remains for the court to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of the military identity and the respective roles played by the three accused.
Other suspects still at large
The Anti-Corruption Unit also indicated that other individuals allegedly connected to the scheme remain at large.
The latest action follows cooperation between anti-corruption investigators, CID and the ODPP to bring the three suspects before the military court.
The case now places the alleged gold transaction, the substantial payments and the involvement of a serving UPDF officer under judicial scrutiny.
The accused remain presumed innocent unless and until they are proved guilty in accordance with the law.
